Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-03-01

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] British Culture Ministry statement on Parthenon Marbles draws strong reaction

[02] National Action Plan on employment presented

[03] Simitis to unveil gov't program until 2004

[04] Parliament debate on pre-election season set for March 10

[05] Archbishop Christodoulos appeals for protection for Kosovo Serbs

[06] Athens: NATO troops to pass through Greece for Kosovo exercise

[07] Papantoniou sees 200,000 new jobs in the next four years

[08] Papantoniou sees bumpy road upward for the stock market

[09] Greek stocks find support at the 5,000 level

[10] Greece to issue savings bonds March 1-3

[11] Greek-Turkish trade in '99 tops half-billion-dollar mark

[12] Alpha Credit Bank to merge with Ionian Bank by end-April

[13] Hellenic Petroleum shows 79.8 pct profit jump in 1999

[14] Italian tour operators expect increased bookings for Greece

[15] Theodorakis' candidacy for the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize presented

[16] Latest Byzantine Museum exhibition focuses on empire's ecclesiastical art, symbolism

[17] Greek cultural events in New York

[18] ND leader briefed on problems faced by elderly people

[19] Greek Tourism Organization launches web-site

[20] Premier attends awards ceremony for athletes distinguishing themselves in 1999

[21] De Soto on his way to Cyprus

[01] British Culture Ministry statement on Parthenon Marbles draws strong reaction

The British Committee for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles and Greek Culture Minister Elizabeth Papazoi have strongly condemned a British Culture Ministry statement on the issue.

The statement, provided to 'Nine Network Australia' television channel for one of its prestigious '60 Minutes program', drew a caustic reaction from Graham Binns, Chairman of the British Committee for the Restitution of the Marbles, who was interviewed on the issue. The interview was broadcast on February 27.

"I was not only surprised by the Ministry's statement, but shocked by it. It seemed that, rather than present a reasoned argument, they were casting around in an effort to make a case with irrelevant diversions. The statement admitted delaying tactics at UNESCO, was insulting to the Greek government, and was littered with prevarications. It can fairly be inferred from internal evidence that some parts of the statement emanated from the British Museum," Binns said.

"The document is a long and disingenuous 'spin'. It suggests that significant parts of the Parthenon Sculptures are in 'Copenhagen, Heidelberg, Munich, Palermo, Paris, Strasbourg, the Vatican' when, in truth, these bits and pieces amount to less than 3 per cent of the whole," he further said.

It went on to say that: "The (British ministry) statement is absurdly slanted in describing the background to the new museum in Athens. Suffice it to say here that it will be built on the site originally intended for it, but that a new design is called for in order to allow for the preservation and display beneath it of Roman antiquities discovered in the excavation of the site. This is a procedure not unknown in many of the ancient cities of Europe." Binns concludes by saying of the document that "it is totally out of order and the Ministry should be shamed by it."

On her part, Papazoi said that the British Culture Ministry's statement showed an obstructive and rather sly conception with which the issue of the Marbles is handled at service level. She said that the methods used to prevent a British Parliament committee from coming to Greece, or intentional delays at UNESCO, or the arguments on alleged human rights violations related to the issue showed a tendency to engage in petty politics which was disagreeable, adding that she did not believe that they expressed the British government

[02] National Action Plan on employment presented

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis and other cabinet officials, the two ministers said that a total of two trillion drachmas would be spent in the period 2000-2006 to support employment.

The plan aims at strengthening unemployment-prevention pollicies, the qualitative upgrading of vocational training and the strengthening of enterprise and self-employment.

It further anticipates tax incentives to increase employment, the opening of the banking system and support for small and medium-size enterprises.

On the question of the insurance issue, Papaioannou said that whichever changes are considered necessary will take place following a public debate.

On his part, Papantoniou predicted that the positions of the European Council's special summit in Lisbon will constitute a "social Maastricht" aimed at combining development policies with employment and social cohesion.

In another development, Papantoniou announced that funds earmarked for culture from the 3rd Community Support Framework will increase fivefold over the next four years and will exceed 500 billion drachmas. Papantoniou was speaking at an event organized at the Aigli Zappeion Hall by the federations of actors, singers, music composers and fine arts.

[03] Simitis to unveil gov't program until 2004

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

In an unrelated development, meanwhile, Reppas also conveyed Athens' reaction over the resignation of controversial Austrian politician Joerg Haider from the leadership of the far-right Freedom Party (FPO).

Reppas called the development 'positive', although adding that it wasn't enough.

[04] Parliament debate on pre-election season set for March 10

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

Elections will be held in Greece on April 9.

Main opposition New Democracy had requested the debate be scheduled one day before the swearing in of President Kostis Stephanopoulos to a consecutive five-year term.

[05] Archbishop Christodoulos appeals for protection for Kosovo Serbs

BELGRADE, 01/03/2000 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)

Archbishop Christodoulos briefed Serb Patriarch Pavle on his appeal to US President Bill Clinton, the UN, European Union, OSCE, NATO, the Council of Europe, UNESCO, the International Red Cross, leaders of countries having troops stationed in Kosovo, the primates of these countries' churches, the World Council of Churches and the Conference of Churches of Europe.

In his appeal, Archbishop Christodoulos lists the destruction and damage caused to Orthodox cathedrals and monasteries after the deployment of peacekeeping forces and provides data on murders and the persecution of the non-Albanian population. He also calls for suitable measures to be taken for the protection of the Serb people and Orthodox monuments, the remedying of the unacceptable situation currently prevailing in Kosovo and the prevalence of peace, justice and tolerance in the region.

Meanwhile, strong reaction caused in the Turkish press due to the decision taken by the Bosnian government to conclude diplomatic relations with Cyprus has caused a stir among Bosnian Moslems in Sarajevo.

"I understand Turkey's sensitivity but I do not approve of it," Bosnian Foreign Minister Yadranko Pirlic said, while Alternate Foreign Minister Hussein Zival said that the Bosnian Moslems were opposed to the decision but it was taken with the approval of the two other ethnic groups in Bosnia, the Serbs and Croats.

The President of Bosnia-Herzegovina's tripartite presidium Alia Izetbegovic said that the Bosnian Moslems did not forget Turkey's aid during the war and were opposed to the decision to conclude diplomatic relations with Cyprus.

[06] Athens: NATO troops to pass through Greece for Kosovo exercise

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

[07] Papantoniou sees 200,000 new jobs in the next four years

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis and other cabinet officials, the two ministers said that a total of two trillion drachmas would be spend in the period 2000-2006 to support employment.

[08] Papantoniou sees bumpy road upward for the stock market

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

Papantoniou said that the stock market did not need all this talk over its performance and criticized the main opposition party ND for trying to benefit politically from the market's current woes.

Foreign exchange outflows were normal and the country's foreign exchange reserves were two or three times more than Portugal's, he said.

[09] Greek stocks find support at the 5,000 level

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

Traders said a rebounding trend in international markets created an early 2.0 percent rally on the Greek market, which soon evaporated as sellers took the upper hand pushing the market below the 5,000 level.

The general index finally ended 0,64 percent lower at 5,002.23 points, off the day's highs of 5,129 and the day's lows of 4,986 points.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.23 percent to 2,773.59 points and the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index dropped 1.83 percent to 782.81 points.

Turnover was a heavy 278.54 billion drachmas reflecting a block trade of 30 million shares in Hellenic Petroleum, representing the company's second flotation, at 4,050 drachmas per share.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 9,543.66

-0.35% Leasing: 1,081.56 -1.20% Insurance: 3,214.87 -0.17% Investment: 2,452.53 -0.80% Construction: 2,616.38 -4.18% Industrials: 2,917.40

-0.72% Miscellaneous: 6,168.26 -0.89% Holding: 5,271.94 -2.44% The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 1,103.82 points, off 6.40 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 276 to 59 with another nine issues unchanged.

Agrinio Metalplastic, St George Mills, Vis (p), Hadzioannou, Doudos and Exelixi scored the biggest percentage gains.

Dionik, Lazarides Vineyards, Technical Publications, Selonda, Corfil (c), Desmos (c), Ellatex and Etma were among a big number of shares that ended at the day's 10.0 percent limit down.

Hellenic Petroleum, Hellenic Telecoms and Panafon were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): Alpha Credit: 24,920 National Bank: 23,550 Commercial Bank: 22,900 Ergobank: 9,115 Eurobank: 12,300 Heracles Cement: 9,480 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,080 Intracom: 15,480 Minoan Lines: 7,650 Hellenic Telecoms: 10,300 Panafon: 5,600 Titan Cement: 16,490

Equity futures still falling: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Tuesday in line with the stock indices on which they are based.

On the Athens bourse, the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.20 percent down; and the

FTSE/ASE Mid 40 for medium capitalization stocks closed 1.80 percent lower.

Turnover from futures fell to 7.41 billion drachmas from 10.1 billion drachmas a day earlier and 8.7 billion drachmas on Friday.

A total of 896 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20, showing turnover of 5.11 billion drachmas.

The contracts ended as follows: expiring March at 2,820; expiring April at 2,847; and expiring May at 2,852.

Futures traded on the FTSE/ASE Mid 40 numbered 710, posting turnover of 2.3 billion drachmas.

Contracts closed as follows: expiring March at 809.75; and expiring April at 818.

Bonds attract buyers in slim trade: Bonds in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday drew buyers but turnover was thin.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.43 percent, the same as the previous day, from 6.42 percent on Friday and 6.41 percent on Thursday.

The paper's yield spread over German bunds was around 96 basis points, holding the previous day's level, against 98 basis points on Friday and 100 basis points on Thursday.

Trade through the central bank's electronic system totalled 40 billion drachmas. Buy orders accounted for the bulk of turnover and sell orders the remainder.

Analysts said there was little room for the yield spread over bunds to drop below about 96 basis points in the near future, and that even a central bank rate cut of 75-100 basis points, anticipated in March, would have little impact on the market.

The yield spread has been fluctuating between 96 and 100 basis points, usually at the higher end of the range.

Drachma rises vs. euro, dollar: The drachma gained on the euro and the dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market on Tuesday.

At the central bank's daily fixing on Tuesday, the euro was set at 333.930 drachmas from 334.040 drachmas a day earlier and 334.050 drachmas on Friday.

Also at the fixing, the US dollar was set at 342.380 drachmas from 344.760 drachmas in the previous session and 338.180 drachmas on Friday.

[10] Greece to issue savings bonds March 1-3

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

The tax-free bonds in paperless form have an issue date of March 1, the agency said in a statement.

They are available from commercial banks, the Post Office Savings Bank, the Bank of Greece (central bank), and stock brokerages, the statement said.

[11] Greek-Turkish trade in '99 tops half-billion-dollar mark

ISTANBUL, 01/03/2000 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The same figures, released by the Turkish general secretariat for foreign trade, listed a trade imbalance in favor of Turkey since 1991, although the total turnover in bilateral trade has increased dramatically. In 1991, for instance, total Turkish exports to Greece were listed at $144 million, while imports of Greek products totaled $77 million.

[12] Alpha Credit Bank to merge with Ionian Bank by end-April

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

Kostopoulos told a news conference that an operational merger of the two bank's networks would reach completion by the end of August.

In addition, a fusion of the two groups' brokerages and mutual fund managers was underway, he added.

Kostopoulos also outlined the banking group's new organizational structure, which comes into force on Wednesday.

Under the overhaul, the group's business is divided into four divisions carrying enhanced administrative powers.

Finally, Kostopoulos announced that newly created Alpha Finance US would launch operations in New York on Wednesday.

The company will sell Greek bonds and stocks to institutional investors and major retail buyers.

[13] Hellenic Petroleum shows 79.8 pct profit jump in 1999

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

Tzellas, also the state owned company's managing director, told a news conference that a major improvement in results for the second straight year was due to a continuing reduction in production costs; better exploitation of crude oil, refinery and distribution operations; profits accruing from reserves due to higher world oil prices; and rationalized management.

[14] Italian tour operators expect increased bookings for Greece

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

Tour operators noted that the 9 per cent reduction in tourist departures from Italy for Greece in 1999, attributed to the Kosovo crisis, was expected to be reversed this year with a 20 per cent increase.

Hellenic Tourist Organization (EOT) will begin an advertising campaign in Italy, showcasing more than the time honored "sun and sea" attributes of Greece, the organization's Secretary General E. Yiannakopoulos said.

[15] Theodorakis' candidacy for the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize presented

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

The committee, composed of playwright Giorgos Skourtis, Parliament deputy Giorgos Lianis and Giorgos Pantagias, presented the candidacy file in the Old Parliament Building. It was noted that the committee that never before did a Greek candidate for a Nobel Prize enjoy such universal support from political and civic leaders, as well as from neighboring countries.

The candidacy was endorsed by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, all opposition parties, municipal leaders, representatives from Cyprus and of the Central Jewish Council of Greece. There are also signatories from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Turkey.

In his statement, Simitis said "with joy and pride I countersign the candidacy of Mikis Theodorakis for the Nobel Peace Prize of 2000... with his unparalleled work left his indelible mark on the art and culture of the 20th century. At the same time, he worked with the same burning passion for world peace, democratic ideals and the brotherhood of mankind".

On his part, the composer said he considered the "universal acceptance of my candidacy not so much as the recognition of myself as a composer, but as a citizen."

Concluding his address Theodorakis said the international community should view the award as recognition to Greece's sacrifices ideas and struggles.

[16] Latest Byzantine Museum exhibition focuses on empire's ecclesiastical art, symbolism

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

Exhibition organizers noted on Tuesday in the Greek capital that the 71 selected works - all from various Greek museum collections -- would be displayed with the intent of emphasizing the historical base, symbolism and Byzantium's unique ecclesiastical rites, and covering a period of some 15 centuries.

The exhibition, which first opened in Melbourne, is set to last until May.

Plan for new museum approved: In a separate development, a majority of the quasi state-controlled Central Archaeological Council (KAS) this week approved the construction of a new Athens Museum in the Akadimias Platonos district of the Greek capital.

The new museum will be built on a three-hectare site in the mostly industrialized area, believed to have hosted Plato's Academy during the third century BC. According to the initial plans, some 50,000 exhibits would be displayed in the 20,000-square meter building.

Financing for the ambitious project is expected to come from the European Union's 3rd Community Support Framework.

[17] Greek cultural events in New York

NEW YORK, 01/03/2000 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

The festival of Greek music and dance is scheduled for Mar. 10-12 in the Symphony Space hall of Broadway, organized by the World Music Institute and the Arts, Dance and Music Production.

Cretan music and dance will open the festival's events, while Asia Minor Rembetica will conclude it in the second day.

Meanwhile, Greek painter and sculptor Alexandros will hold an exhibition of his works for the demanding New York public, in Manhattan's "Caliban" gallery from Mar. 5-31.

[18] ND leader briefed on problems faced by elderly people

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

The members requested better police protection for their area, treatment, better pensions and the creation of infrastructure projects.

Karamanlis said his party would support the KAPH institution for the elderly, reminding that it was the ND government that had introduced it in 1978.

He said that the KAPH should operate in a decentralized fashion in the framework of local administration and provide creative programs for the elderly, saying that they are active citizens and a living part of society.

[19] Greek Tourism Organization launches web-site

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

The web-site features both Greek- and English-languages pages, and will soon offer its services in German and other languages as well.

Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos and GTO secretary-general Evgenios Yiannakopoulos inaugurated GTOs Internet services. The web-site, named 'Xenia', was created by GTO in cooperation with Patras University. Venizelos said that GTO's internet address would not only help in promoting Greek tourism but would also be a significant "work tool" for Greek tourism entrepreneurs, as it is expected to be used as an electronic commerce center.

Yiannakopoulos said a program to computerize GTO's operations would be completed in May.

[20] Premier attends awards ceremony for athletes distinguishing themselves in 1999

Athens, 01/03/2000 (ANA)

Among others, the event was attended by Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, Culture Minister Elizabeth Papazoi, Deputy Sports Minister Andreas Fouras, Sports Secretary General Yiannis Sgouros and former Deputy Sports Minister George Lianis.

[21] De Soto on his way to Cyprus

NEW YORK, 01/03/2000 (CNA/ANA)

The main purpose of his visit is familiarization with Cyprus and the UN Mission's (UNFICYP's) work on the island. It is not to further the process of the proximity talks, although Mr. de Soto will be meeting (Cyprus President) Mr. Clerides and (Turkish Cypriot leader) Mr. Denktash towards the end of his stay. Proximity talks are due to resume, subject to confirmation, on 23 May in New York.

Mr. de Soto has just concluded a two-day visit to Brussels to meet with officials of the European Union. After departing Cyprus on 8 March, he will go to Ankara and Athens for meetings with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and other officials.

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